"To support mental health and wellness by providing knowledge and lavender essentials that are of mindful intent."

Our Lavender Story

As I was reaching the sunset of my hospital nursing career, my desire to
continue to help others with their health needs remained as a heartfelt vocation. I began to reflect on nature and how I might be able to infuse this into health and wellness. My goal was to create a business to continue to give back to society. Although I admit to not being an expert gardener, I am curious about plants, herbs, flowers, and their purpose in a garden environment. I have had several diverse types of gardens, learned what works successfully and definitely what fails. I have experienced the physical and mental health benefits of growing a garden as well. Watching plants sprout and grow during a season, flowers blooming with vibrant colors, and vegetables that put a colorful healthy diet on the table are truly rewards of hard labor.

Lavender is a simple, no fuss perennial that loves neutral soil, plenty of sun, and
little water. Its humble needs produce beautiful purple flowers of different shades and fragrances. One of its medicinal benefits is to decrease anxiety and calm the mind.

Holistic medicinal solutions to mental health, visual pleasure of lavender
bundles, and fragrant products to use for the body and mind led to researching a lavender farm at our home.

The knoll, a boundary between our home and a beautiful vineyard became the focus for a potential lavender field. We started with soil testing various areas of this plot of land. We also observed hours of sunlight, and how well the ground drained rainwater. It soon became clear that this sun-drenched knoll would be a prime microclimate for lavender to thrive.

After researching wholesale vendors, we landed upon a reputable company in
Baltimore for our Lavender Angustifolia Hidcote and Munstead. It was also a
company rooted in its founder, a European nurseryman who brought his expertise to the U.S. after World War II and changed the American landscape.

In the Spring and Summer of 2022, tilling, rock removal, more tilling, and yes, more rock removal consumed our weekends. Family and friends became involved, and it became our passion and trial! We also brought in several truckloads of compost and tilled this organic matter, sand, and existing soil within the knoll. And after many removals of small rocks, many remained! This was actually a blessing,
as it provided adequate drainage.

On September 24, 2022, friends and family gathered on the knoll for our first
planting of three-inch Angustifolia Lavender plants. Lavender Hidcote Superior and Lavender Munstead were chosen as our first cultivars. Both have a sweet fragrance and bloom in spring. Planting in the fall gives these babies time to root and grow a wee bit before winter.

May 5, 2023, we embarked on our second planting of Lavender Super Blue and Lavender Platinum Blonde. Spring is also a suitable time for planting. The spring rains and warm sun allow for adequate rooting and extended season of growing throughout the summer months. Since then, we have nurtured, pruned, cut, and experimented with our lavender plants in order to bring a sustainable product to our community.

Our Mission

“To support mental health and wellness by providing knowledge and lavender
essentials that are of mindful intent.”

Lavender, a centuries old perennial herb from the mint family, is indigenous to
the mountainous areas of the countries bordering the western European part of the Mediterranean region. When early travelers brought it back, the plant spread rapidly to other parts of the world.

Lavender’s spiritualism represents regal luxury and beauty. The flower is often
regarded as representing the Virgin Mary. The spiritual meaning of lavender is innocence, serenity, and faithfulness true to the mother of Jesus and her life on earth. The deep purple hue of lavender is also associated with the crown chakra, the energy center that stands for higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.

At Lavender Knoll Sanctuary, we intentionally grow our lavender with mental health wellness in mind. Research has shown that lavender scent and oil has provided a reduction in anxiety and stress in both children and adults. A recent study on the effect of lavender on anxiety showed that aromatherapy (the inhalation of lavender scent) was the best approach to decrease anxiety. This study
reviewed forty qualitative and thirty-two quantitative studies (Sayed, Morsy,
Tawfik, Naveed…2020).

Over the centuries, lavender has been used for
- Reduction in anxiety and stress
- Supporting better sleep
- Relieving menstrual pain
- Reduces harmful viruses and bacteria
- Aid in wound healing

Cleveland Clinic/Health Essentials Yufang Lin, M.D.

Lavender Knoll Sanctuary is here to educate and communicate with our customers through our website, products, blog posts, social media, and face to face contact. A holistic approach to health and wellness is essentially grounded in lavender. We are here to support the mind/body/spirit of everyone that we encounter along the way.